George Washington Born- February 22, 1732
Died- December 14, 1799
Political Party- Federalists
Date of Term- April 30, 1789- March 3, 1797 (2 terms)
Vice President- John Adams
George Washington had no predecessors or precedents to base his presidency off of, but he still managed to have a very successful presidency. On a scale of A to F, I would give George Washington an A because he managed to establish a solid economical foundation, increase trade, civilize relations with the Native Americans and Spanish, and most importantly avoid military conflicts.
The goal of George Washington were to give the country a strong foundation to start off with and he did this by establishing a solid economical foundation, increasing importing and exporting from America, having better relations with the Spanish, Native Americans and English and to avoid a military conflict. America had a huge 25 million dollar debt at the end of the war, to reduce it Alexander Hamilton came up with the idea that the government take up all the debt and barrow money at lower interest rate. This plan, which was signed into action by Washington, was very successful. In addition, to reduce the nation debt from the war and solidify the economy, Washington approved a tax on liquor in 1794. This caused a mini rebellion of Pennsylvanian farmers and the first real challenge to federal authority was quickly extinguished. In 1792, Washington entertained the leaders of the Six Nations and presented Chief Red Jacket with a silver medal. Chief Red Jacket who fought against America during the Revolutionary War was an ally during the War of 1812. The Pinckney's Treaty of 1795 was between the Spanish and the United States and stabilized the relationship. The treaty established 31st parallel as the boundary between Spain and America in Florida. In addition, it granted U.S. vessels free access to the entire length of the Mississippi and the port of New Orleans for exporting. Most importantly, Washington's decision to remain neutral during the conflict between France versus Britain, Austria, Prussia, Sardina, and the Netherlands ensured that our nation would remain out of conflicts until we were better prepared militarily.
Washington had a good relationship with the Congress. For example, they did not challenge his presidential appointments mostly out of respect for him. Washington believed that he should not interfere or try to influence Congress when it came to a law or bill. He would do what he thought was best for the country and veto a piece of legislation if it went directly against the Constitution. When Alexander Hamilton introduced his new financial plan to eliminate the national debt Washington supported it because he thought it would benefit the country but refused to influence Congress. Many southerners opposed the plan and Washington had to wait until Hamilton suggested moving the capital to the south to persuade the Southerners to approve the action. Another action between Washington and Congress was the establishment of the National Bank. Washington signed it because he understood that the bank was needed for the financial well-being of the country, not because he particularly agreed with it. Washington and Congress had a good working relationship and got done what was needed to for the best of the country.
The single most positive action during Washington's presidency was the signing of the Pinckney's Treaty. The treaty did three good things for America defined the boundary line in Florida; it increased exporting of American goods, and strengthened the relationship with Spain, possible avoiding a conflict. The treaty defined the 31st parallel as the boundary line between Spain and America. Moving goods to the east by roads was expensive and slow but being allowed to use the Mississippi River and port of New Orleans to transport good it decreased the price to get American good to the global market. The treaty also showed good faith from both countries and made it mutualistic, both side were benefiting. The Spanish received more importing and exporting in New Orleans and America got cheaper routes to port. The most negative action of Washington is the Whisky Rebellion in the eyes of the American people at that time. The farmers of Pennsylvania refused to pay the tax on liquor and as a result, Washington ordered 15,000 troops to halt the rebellion. In the eyes of the people, it must have been vedaja vu, a strong government crushing the rebellion of the people, but it was needed. Washington had to send a message that the government, although run by the people would still be in control.
Jay's treaty is the one decision that most influenced future generations that was made by Washington. Washington was widely criticized for signing Jay's treaty. The treaty gave up the rights of neutrality on the seas of the U.S. It gave English ships the right to search and seize and ship suspected of carrying contraband, which the British considered any useful product, and did not address Britain’s policy of "once an Englishman, always an Englishman". Which meant even if a once English citizen renounced allegiance to England and properly became a naturalized citizen of the U.S. was still within reach of the monarch's grasp. All of the negatives of Jay's treaty are outweighed by the positives. Jay's treaty further incited the English to remove its forces from the Northwest Territory as stated in the Treaty of Paris. The most significant reason for Washington to sign Jay's treaty was to delay the inevitable war with England until 1812. Washington knew that the fledgling country would most likely not withstand another war with mighty England. If Washington had not signed Jay's treaty then England may have mounted an assault on the new country and in all likelihood would have ended the history of the United States right there. The treaty allowed the United States to better prepare of the impending conflict, thus preserving the nation that so many died to create. The existence of the United States is fairly in important to future generations of Americans and American presidential administrations. All in all, George Washington sacrificed his popularity for the good of the country and to ensure the U.S. a few more years to strengthen their military force and eventually fend off the English once more in the war of 1812.
I believe the country was much better off after George Washington's presidency. He strengthened relations with the Native Americans and Spanish, opened up the Mississippi River and port of New Orleans to American trade, erased the national debt, and delayed the enviable conflict with England until America was better suited militarily. All of these reasons support George Washington's overall grade of an A. He got the country off on the right foot and in the right direction.
Works Cited
DeGregorio, William A. Complete book of U.S. presidents. 6th ed. Fort Lee, N.J: Barricade, 2005. Print.
Born- February 22, 1732
Died- December 14, 1799
Political Party- Federalists
Date of Term- April 30, 1789- March 3, 1797 (2 terms)
Vice President- John Adams
George Washington had no predecessors or precedents to base his presidency off of, but he still managed to have a very successful presidency. On a scale of A to F, I would give George Washington an A because he managed to establish a solid economical foundation, increase trade, civilize relations with the Native Americans and Spanish, and most importantly avoid military conflicts.
The goal of George Washington were to give the country a strong foundation to start off with and he did this by establishing a solid economical foundation, increasing importing and exporting from America, having better relations with the Spanish, Native Americans and English and to avoid a military conflict. America had a huge 25 million dollar debt at the end of the war, to reduce it Alexander Hamilton came up with the idea that the government take up all the debt and barrow money at lower interest rate. This plan, which was signed into action by Washington, was very successful. In addition, to reduce the nation debt from the war and solidify the economy, Washington approved a tax on liquor in 1794. This caused a mini rebellion of Pennsylvanian farmers and the first real challenge to federal authority was quickly extinguished. In 1792, Washington entertained the leaders of the Six Nations and presented Chief Red Jacket with a silver medal. Chief Red Jacket who fought against America during the Revolutionary War was an ally during the War of 1812. The Pinckney's Treaty of 1795 was between the Spanish and the United States and stabilized the relationship. The treaty established 31st parallel as the boundary between Spain and America in Florida. In addition, it granted U.S. vessels free access to the entire length of the Mississippi and the port of New Orleans for exporting. Most importantly, Washington's decision to remain neutral during the conflict between France versus Britain, Austria, Prussia, Sardina, and the Netherlands ensured that our nation would remain out of conflicts until we were better prepared militarily.
Washington had a good relationship with the Congress. For example, they did not challenge his presidential appointments mostly out of respect for him. Washington believed that he should not interfere or try to influence Congress when it came to a law or bill. He would do what he thought was best for the country and veto a piece of legislation if it went directly against the Constitution. When Alexander Hamilton introduced his new financial plan to eliminate the national debt Washington supported it because he thought it would benefit the country but refused to influence Congress. Many southerners opposed the plan and Washington had to wait until Hamilton suggested moving the capital to the south to persuade the Southerners to approve the action. Another action between Washington and Congress was the establishment of the National Bank. Washington signed it because he understood that the bank was needed for the financial well-being of the country, not because he particularly agreed with it. Washington and Congress had a good working relationship and got done what was needed to for the best of the country.
The single most positive action during Washington's presidency was the signing of the Pinckney's Treaty. The treaty did three good things for America defined the boundary line in Florida; it increased exporting of American goods, and strengthened the relationship with Spain, possible avoiding a conflict. The treaty defined the 31st parallel as the boundary line between Spain and America. Moving goods to the east by roads was expensive and slow but being allowed to use the Mississippi River and port of New Orleans to transport good it decreased the price to get American good to the global market. The treaty also showed good faith from both countries and made it mutualistic, both side were benefiting. The Spanish received more importing and exporting in New Orleans and America got cheaper routes to port. The most negative action of Washington is the Whisky Rebellion in the eyes of the American people at that time. The farmers of Pennsylvania refused to pay the tax on liquor and as a result, Washington ordered 15,000 troops to halt the rebellion. In the eyes of the people, it must have been vedaja vu, a strong government crushing the rebellion of the people, but it was needed. Washington had to send a message that the government, although run by the people would still be in control.
Jay's treaty is the one decision that most influenced future generations that was made by Washington. Washington was widely criticized for signing Jay's treaty. The treaty gave up the rights of neutrality on the seas of the U.S. It gave English ships the right to search and seize and ship suspected of carrying contraband, which the British considered any useful product, and did not address Britain’s policy of "once an Englishman, always an Englishman". Which meant even if a once English citizen renounced allegiance to England and properly became a naturalized citizen of the U.S. was still within reach of the monarch's grasp. All of the negatives of Jay's treaty are outweighed by the positives. Jay's treaty further incited the English to remove its forces from the Northwest Territory as stated in the Treaty of Paris. The most significant reason for Washington to sign Jay's treaty was to delay the inevitable war with England until 1812. Washington knew that the fledgling country would most likely not withstand another war with mighty England. If Washington had not signed Jay's treaty then England may have mounted an assault on the new country and in all likelihood would have ended the history of the United States right there. The treaty allowed the United States to better prepare of the impending conflict, thus preserving the nation that so many died to create. The existence of the United States is fairly in important to future generations of Americans and American presidential administrations. All in all, George Washington sacrificed his popularity for the good of the country and to ensure the U.S. a few more years to strengthen their military force and eventually fend off the English once more in the war of 1812.
I believe the country was much better off after George Washington's presidency. He strengthened relations with the Native Americans and Spanish, opened up the Mississippi River and port of New Orleans to American trade, erased the national debt, and delayed the enviable conflict with England until America was better suited militarily. All of these reasons support George Washington's overall grade of an A. He got the country off on the right foot and in the right direction.
Works Cited
DeGregorio, William A. Complete book of U.S. presidents. 6th ed. Fort Lee, N.J: Barricade, 2005. Print.
Digital History. Web. 28 Jan. 2010. <http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=6>.
"Pinckney's Treaty." United States History. Web. 29 Jan. 2010. http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h454.html.
"SparkNotes: George Washington: The Presidency, First Term." SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides.
Web. 29 Jan. 2010. __http://www.sparknotes.com/biography/washington/section8.html__.